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1500 questions
5
votes
6 answers
Transfering merits
This is a tradition I have heard in Thailand: Many men become monk for a few months in order to transfer merits to his parents and so they can go to heaven. If I'm not mistaken the Buddha said you could only transfer merits for ghosts (according to…
konrad01
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Meditating dead monks
I stumbled upon this story about a 200 year old buddhist monk found in Mongolia where its claimed that he is not dead but instead in a very deep state of meditation.
I have heard about dead meditating monks before where its been claimed that they…
user2424
5
votes
2 answers
Trouble understanding the path factor of Right Effort
The path factor Right Effort in the noble eight-fold path contains 4 steps which are;
Prevent the unwholesome that has not yet arisen in oneself.
Let go of the unwholesome that has arisen in oneself.
Bring up the wholesome that has not yet arisen…
user2424
5
votes
4 answers
What is the difference between Anapanasati and Vipassana?
Both Anapanasati and Vipassana are described as the direct path to Nibbana. What are the main differences along these paths?
Does one fully include the other, or do they diverge from each other, or they in a sense parallel to each?
Parag
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Zen's concern with "reality" vs. being in the present
In "Zen Mind" Suzuki says: "The true purpose is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes". To see things as they are... doesn't that involve an understanding of past and future? Past and future…
jason
- 543
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5
votes
3 answers
Should Buddhists use statues with an imagined likeness of the Buddha for veneration?
Should Buddhists use statues with an imagined likeness of the Buddha for veneration? The Buddha discouraged making images in his likeness (Kalinga Bodhi jataka), and has said that the Buddha cannot be likened to a statue.
Kaveenga Wijayasekara
- 1,665
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5
votes
6 answers
What's the karmic cause for loneliness
I'm wondering why some people have many friends (lasting friendship like friends since kindergarten to college)while some has almost none.
I understand that it would depend on situations in present. But if there's effect from past, what would these…
Nyan
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votes
10 answers
Can Buddhist practice make you more emotionally volatile?
When I spend an extend period with Buddhist practice I become emotionally more volatile or at least my emotions seem stronger and more likely to come to the surface. I've often had reactions that are uncharacteristically emotional though the…
Crab Bucket
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5
votes
2 answers
Karma: Intention vs knowing result of an action
This is something I have been wondering about karma for quite some time. I have been told that intention is what matters when one does an action but what about when I know that a side effect of my intention will cause harm. For example when I intend…
Hugh
- 1,603
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votes
2 answers
How do monastic rules differ in each tradition?
Theravada monks have to follow the 227 Patimokkha rules and the Vinaya Pitaka from the Pali Canon.
But how is it for monks from the other traditions like East Asian Mahayana, Zen and Vajrayana traditions?
I read online that Tibetan monks have dinner…
ruben2020
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5
votes
3 answers
Can you go through all 7 purifications of insight with walking meditation?
Can you go through all 7 purifications of insight with walking meditation. Can you also go through the 7 purifications of insight by focusing on your steps and saying to yourself "stepping, stepping"?
Buddhistdude
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5
votes
2 answers
Can you actually focus on how birth leads to aging, death, suffering, stress as direct experience in dependent co-arising?
Can I focus on the link between birth and aging, death, suffering, in dependent co-arising in my own mind? Or do I have to know how birth leads to aging etc. intellectually.
Does birth in dependent co-arising appear in the mind?
Buddhistdude
- 619
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5
votes
1 answer
When should you put on your robes?
My question is going to be almost to "profane" for this area of SE, about it is a serious concern of mine.
I have just started out zen meditation. One of the suggestions that was given me was that to wear robes while meditating. No problem. But when…
eslukas
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5
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2 answers
Can straight samatha ever lead to enlightenment?
Can you just do so much samatha meditation that you achieve enlightenment?
Buddhistdude
- 619
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5
votes
3 answers
How should Buddhists receive generosity?
There is a lot of advice about dana and the importance of generosity and giving but is there any advice on how to receive generosity? From a western perspective it can be quite awkward to receive gifts or charity so I wondered if there is any…
Crab Bucket
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